GATLINBURG, Tenn. (July 25, 2023) – Planning a family trip can be overwhelming. There’s only so much you can plan for, especially if it’s a place you’ve never been. The best source of insider tips is always from your friends who have been there and learned firsthand a few nuggets of insider knowledge to pass along. I’m here to be that friend!
Plan ahead
If you’ve been to Gatlinburg in the summer, then you know you’re going to be battling the crowds. One way to avoid them is to go ahead and buy your Anakeesta tickets online. If you plan to zipline you can also purchase those tickets online as well as reserve your time. Be sure to check the height/weight/age restrictions for the zipline as well.
Another way to plan ahead is to decide how you’ll get up the mountain before you arrive, so you know exactly what line to get in. You can choose from an open-air 4-person chair with a bar (picture a ski-lift), an enclosed gondola cabin with seating for 6 or ride the Ridge Rambler, a passenger truck that takes you on a scenic guided tour through the forest to the summit. When my kids were young, I opted for the gondola or Ridge Rambler which my truck-loving son loved. Now that my kids are a little older, they love the ski-lift.
Lastly, check the website for weather updates. If there are strong storms or wind in the area it could affect hours of operation.
Come hungry, but not too hungry
Anakeesta has several delicious restaurants that offer some of the best views of the Smoky Mountains! That amazing combo means they are popular and can sometimes have long wait times. So go ahead and put your name on the waitlist of the restaurant you choose as soon as you arrive. That way you can enjoy the mountain fun until your table is ready. There are also great grab-and-go options throughout the park as well as several places to sit and enjoy a snack, drink or meal if a sit-down restaurant isn’t your style.
Check out the events calendarÂ
Before you arrive take a look at the event calendar. That’s where you’ll find whatever events they have scheduled that day including the live music schedule. Anakeesta has their own house band that performs four times daily!
Anakeesta also hosts several seasonal events throughout the year. This summer they have welcomed the Anakeesta Gnomes, some precocious mountain gnomes that put on quite a show and love to meet (and mess with) your kiddos!
Purchase a VIP Annual Pass
If you plan to visit more than once in the year, you should definitely consider purchasing the VIP Annual Pass. The Annual Pass gives you unlimited visits to Anakeesta as well as some other great perks including access to the VIP Express Lane to get up the mountain and discounts at the retail shops and restaurants.
As I mentioned, Anakeesta offers many seasonal and special events throughout the year which means there is always something new and different to check out. Speaking of new, they are consistently adding new elements to the mountain. Their newest adventure element, BirdVenture, will feature three larger-than-life birdhouses, a dozen adventure zones and seven giant serpentine slides winding more than 50 feet down the mountain. This fun-for-the-whole-family addition is scheduled to open in the fall!
Follow Anakeesta on socialsÂ
Let’s be real, most of us spend more time on social media than we care to admit. Anakeesta does a great job of filling their socials with great information to know before you visit, upcoming events, important information regarding weather closures and, of course, awesome pictures and videos to really give you an idea of what’s on the mountain. It’s my favorite way to keep up with all the things happening and coming up at Anakeesta! You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
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